Yarn traverse mechansm

ABSTRACT

A yarn guide traverse mechanism for building a relatively large yarn package having uniformly tapered ends comprising a first wheel adapted to be oscillated by the drive motor of the winding machine, and a second wheel having a peripheral edge adapted to frictionally contact the front surface of the first wheel such that the second wheel is also oscillated. Means are provided for translating the second wheel radially inwardly along the front surface of the first wheel such that the oscillations of the second wheel are gradually diminished in relation to the oscillations of the first wheel. The second wheel is suitably connected to a linkage carrying the yarn guide, such that the linkage is reciprocated to an extent controlled by the extent of the oscillations of the second wheel.

United States Patent Henry v I [4 1 Aug. 1,1972

[54] YARN TRAVERSE MECHANSM [72] Inventor: Carl L. Henry, Hickory, NC.

[73] Assignee: Regal Manufacturing Company,

Hickory, NC.

[22] Filed: July 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 60,042

[52] US. Cl. ..242/43.l, 74/99, 74/109,

. 74/1'10 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 54/32 [58] Field of Search.242/43, 43.1, 158, 158.1, 158.4, 242/1585; 74/96, 109, 110, 194, 199-201,

Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [5 7] ABSTRACT A yarn guide traverse mechanism for building a relatively large yarn package having uniformly tapered ends comprising a first wheel adapted to be oscillated by the drive motor of the winding machine, and a second wheel having a peripheral edge adapted to frictionally contact the front surface of the first wheel such that the second wheel is also oscillated. Means are provided for translating the second wheel radially inwardly along the front surface of the first wheel such that the oscillations of the second wheel are gradually diminished in relation to the oscillations of the first wheel. The second wheel is suitably connected to a linkage carrying the yarn guide, such that the linkage is reciprocated to an extent controlled by the extent of the oscillations of the second wheel.

1 1 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CONTROLS PATENTEDAUB 1 i972 YARN Sou CONTROLS) w J KT 5 Mo'ro 3 INVENTOR: HENRY YARN TRAVERSE MECHANSM The present invention relates to a novel traversing mechanism for use in winding a'yarn onto a bobbin in a controlled and predetermined manner. More particularly, the invention relates to a traversing mechanism for producing a yarn package having uniform and symmetrical tapered ends.

In the processing of various natural and synthetic yarns, it is conventional to wind the yarn strand into headless packages having tapered ends to facilitate subsequent processing. To form this configuration on a bobbin, it is necessary to properly program the yarn guide such that the yarn is longitudinally reciprocated back and forth along the package in gradually diminishing increments. Typically, this is accomplished by a cam driven at constant speed by the winder and which acts through a suitable follower to oscillate a lever arm about a fixed pivot. A linkage is operatively connected between thelever arm and yarn guide such that the yarn guideis longitudinally reciprocated by the oscillation of the lever arm. The linkage is designed to be sequentially advanced toward the pivot point during the winding operation such that the longitudinal extent of its reciprocation is gradually reduced as winding proceeds. Thus the length of successive reciprocations of the yarn guide is gradually reduced, and a tapered build results.

While the above mechanism is suitable for building small packages of the described type, difficulties are encountered when relatively large packages are produced since the outer portion of the build will be deformed. This results from the fact that the angle between the lever arm and linkage will change as the linkage approaches the pivot point, and the linkage will move further on one side of its reciprocation than on the other, thus more yarn is positioned at one end of the package than at the other end.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn traverse mechanism of simple construction, and which is designed to eliminate deformation of the build in relatively large yarn packages having tapered ends.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for traversing a yarn guide longitudinally along the side edge of a yarn bobbin in gradually diminishing increments, and wherein successive increments are shortened by the same amount at each end thereof such that the opposite ends of the yarn package are uniformly tapered.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in the embodiment illustrated herein by the provision of traversing means for reciprocating the yarn guide longitudinally of a rotating bobbin and which includes means for gradually reducing the length of successive reciprocations of the yarn guide in a manner such that the reciprocations are shortened by the same amount at each end thereof.

Some of the objects and advantages of the invention having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a winding machine including the yarn traverse mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a yarn traverse mechanism embodying the features of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, illustrating the mechanism of FIG. 2.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional drum winder 10 having reciprocating yarn guides 12. A number of yarn strands 14 are individually lead from a suitable source or supply creel 16, through the yarn guides 12, and onto the bobbins forming the packages 18. The packages are rotated by frictional contact with the driving drum 20, which in turn is driven by the driving means 21 of the winder. A cam 22 is also rotatably driven by the driving means 21, and is designed to act through an apparatus 24 to reciprocate the yarn guides 12 longitudinally back and forth along the sides of the rotating packages. More particularly, the apparatus 24 includes a follower 26 operatively connected to the cam 22, and a mechanism 28 for transferring the reciprocatory movement of the follower 26 to a linearly reciprocable linkage 30, such that the linkage 30 and connected yarn guides 12 are reciprocated in gradually diminishing increments as the build of the yarn package proceeds.

The mechanism 28 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 and will be seen to include a rack 32 connected to one end of the follower 26 such that the rack will be linearly reciprocated therewith. The movement of the rack is guided to some extent by the edge of the guide plate 34, which in turn mounts a switch 36 for the purposes hereinafter set forth.

The rack 32 includes a plurality of gear-teeth 38 which are positioned to engage the teeth 39 of the first wheel 40. The wheel 40 is rotatable about the center shaft 41 which defines a fixed first axis 42 (FIG. 3), and the wheel includes a substantially planar front transverse surface 44 lying perpendicular to the axis 42. Thus it will be apparent that the reciprocation of the rack 32 will oscillate the wheel 40 about the axis 42.

A second wheel 46 is fixedly mounted on a shaft 48 defining a second axis 50 which intersects the first axis 42 at substantially right angles. The axis 50 lies generally parallel to the surface 44 and is positioned a distance from the wheel 40 such that the peripheral edge of the wheel 46 frictionally engages the surface 44 and the oscillations of the first wheel will thereby cause corresponding oscillations in the second wheel about the second axis 50. If desired, the peripheral edge of the wheel 46 may include a rubber-like ring 52 to improve the coefficient of friction between the two contacting surfaces.

The shaft 48 is slidably mounted at one end in a hearing 54, and at the other end in a sleeve 56. The sleeve includes a radial pin 57 adapted to be received in a groove 58 in the shaft 48 so as to permit limited axial movement of the shaft 48 while maintaining the rotational interconnection.

The remote end of the sleeve 56 includes a bevel gear 60 and a mating bevel gear 62 positioned at right angles thereto. The gear 62 is mounted to the rotatable shaft 64, which also mounts a third wheel 66 having peripheral gear teeth 67. A second rack 68 is connected to the linkage 30 and has a plurality of gear teeth 69 mating with the teeth 67 of the third wheel. By this arrangement, rotation of the second wheel 46 causes a corresponding rotation of the third wheel 66, and a linear reciprocation of the linkage 30 along its longitudinal axis.

The mechanism further includes means operatively controlled by the oscillations of the first wheel 40 for sequentially translating the second wheel 46 along the second axis 50 in a direction toward the first axis 42 to thereby diminish the angular or rotational extent of the oscillations of the second wheel. For this purpose, an externally threaded worm 70 is mounted in spaced parallel relation with the shaft 48 and carries a worm follower 72 which threadedly engages the worm and is attached to the shaft 48 adjacent the wheel 46.

The worm 70 is rotated by a step motor 74 which is periodically energized by the switch 36 upon each reciprocation of the rack 32. The step motor 74 is of conventional design well known to those skilled in the art, and may for example rotate one complete revolution upon each 200 impulses from the switch 36.

To reset the mechanism at the termination of a winding operation, a hand wheel 76 is provided which is connected to the end of the worm 70 opposite the motor 74. A threaded fixed bearing 78 also engages the worm, such that rotation of the wheel 76 translates the follower 72 and thus the second wheel 46 axially along the second axis in a direction away from the first axis 42. A pair of limits, 80 and 81, may be provided to limit the movement of the follower 72 and to insure proper positioning of the second wheel 46 in relation to the first wheel 40. Also, an indicator 82 including a pointer 84 which is attached to the follower 72, may be provided to visually display the position of the wheel 46.

In operation, the follower 72 is initially positioned at the location shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3 by the hand wheel 76. The empty yarn bobbins are positioned adjacent the drum 20 in the conventional manner, and the yarn strands 14 are dropped through the guides 12 and connected thereto. Upon actuation of the winder 10, the cam 22 will rotate at a constant speed causing the reciprocation of the follower 26 and rack 32. This reciprocatory motion is translated into a corresponding reciprocation of the linkage 30 by the mechanism 28 as described above. Initially, the reciprocation of the linkage 30 and thus yarn guides 12 extends a relatively large distance since the wheel 46 will be positioned adjacent the radial extremity of the wheel 40. As the winding operation proceeds, the wheel 46 will be slowly advanced toward the axis 42 such that the rotational extent of the oscillations of the wheel 46 will gradually diminish. This causes a corresponding diminution in the extent of the reciprocation by the linkage 30, and thus the yarn guides 12 will be reciprocated along the side of the rotating bobbins in gradually diminishing increments as will be apparent, successive increments will be shortened by the same amount at each end thereof to produce a yarn build having uniformly tapered ends.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and

although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Iclaim:

1. In a yarn winding apparatus having means for rotating a yarn bobbin, and a yarn guide for guiding the yarn from a yarn source onto the bobbin, the combination therewith of traversing means connected to said yarn guide for reciprocating the yarn guide longitudinally of the rotating bobbin in gradually diminishing increments to produce a yarn package having uniformly tapered ends, said traversing means including means for gradually reducing the length of successive reciprocations of the yarn guide in such a manner that the reciprocations are shortened by the same amount at each end thereof whereby opposite ends of the yarn package being formed are uniformly tapered, said reducing means comprising first and second wheels mounted for rotative oscillations about first and second intersecting axes with said first wheel having a transverse face and said second wheel having its periphery frictionally engaging said transverse face for having rotative oscillations imparted to said second wheel by said first wheel, means for oscillating said first wheel, means for changing the distance from the rotative axis of said first wheel at which said second wheel engages said transverse face for gradually reducing the extent of rotative oscillations imparted to said second wheel by said first wheel, and means for translating the oscillations of said second wheel into reciprocations of said yarn guide.

2. In a yarn winding apparatus having means for rotating a yarn bobbin, and a yarn guide for guiding the yarn from a yarn source onto the bobbin, the combination therewith of a mechanism for reciprocating the yarn guide longitudinally back and forth along the side of the rotating yarn bobbin in gradually diminishing increments which are shortened by the same amount at each end thereof to produce a yarn package having uniformly tapered ends, said mechanism comprising,

a first wheel defining a first axis and having a front transverse surface,

means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel about said first axis in a predetermined regular sequence,

a second wheel mounted for rotation about a second axis lying generally parallel to said transverse surface and intersecting said first axis, said second wheel including a peripheral edge frictionally engaging said transverse surface such that the oscillations of said first wheel cause rotational oscillations in said second wheel about said second axis,

means operatively controlled by the oscillations of said first wheel for sequentially translating said second wheel along said second axis toward said first axis to diminish the rotational extent of the oscillations of the second wheel,

a longitudinally reciprocable linkage connected to the yarn guide, and

means connected between said second wheel and linkage for reciprocating said linkage and yarn guide in increments determined by the rotational extent of the oscillations of said second wheel.

3. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said front transverse surface is substantially planar and intersects said first axis at substantially right angles.

4. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising independently operable means for translating said second wheel along said second axis away from said first axis to thereby reset the mechanism at the termination of a winding operation.

5. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel includes a linearly reciprocable rack having a plurality of gear-teeth, drive means for reciprocating said rack in timed relation with the operation of the winding apparatus, and a plurality of gear-teeth about the periphery of said first wheel and operatively engaging the gear-teeth of said rack such that the reciprocation of the rack oscillates the first wheel about the first axis.

6. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for reciprocating said linkage includes a shaft attached to said second wheel and extending coaxially with said second axis, a third wheel having a plurality of gear-teeth about the periphery thereof and connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, and a rack attached to said linkage and having gear-teeth mating with the teeth of said third wheel such that rotation of said second wheel causes the rotation of the third wheel and linear movement of said linkage.

7. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for translating said second wheel along said second axis toward said first axis includes a switch adapted to be actuated upon each reciprocation of said linearly reciprocable rack, a step motor operatively connected to said switch, an externally threaded worm rotatably driven by said step motor and mounted in spaced parallel relation with said shaft, and a worm follower threadedly engaging said worm and fixedly attached to said shaft such that said shaft is axially advanced upon rotation of said worm by said step motor.

8. A yarn guide transverse mechanism for building a relatively large yarn package having uniformly tapered ends and comprising a yarn guide for guiding yarn from a yarn source onto a bobbin,

a first wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis and including a front transverse surface lying substantially perpendicular to said first axis,

means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel about said first axis in a predetermined regular sequence,

a second rotatable wheel defining a second axis lying generally parallel to said transverse surface and intersecting said first axis, said second wheel having a peripheral edge disposed in frictional engagement with said transverse surface such that the rotational oscillation of said first wheel causes a corresponding rotational oscillation of said second wheel about said second axis,

means for translating said second wheel along said second axis to change the radial positioning of said second wheel on said transverse surface and thereby change the angular extent of the rotational oscillation of said second wheel,

means for converting the rotational oscillation of said second wheel into a linear reciprocation and being connected to said yarn guide to traverse the yarn guide.

9. The yarn guide traverse mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel comprises a cam adapted to be rotated at a regular speed, a follower operatively connected to said cam and adapted to be reciprocated upon rotation of said cam, a rack connected to said follower and having a plurality of gear-teeth, and a plurality of gearteeth about the periphery of said first wheel and operatively engaging the rack gear-teeth such that reciprocation of said follower and rack oscillates said first wheel.

10. The yarn guide traverse mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said second wheel is mounted on a shaft extending along said second axis, and said means for translating said second wheel along said second axis comprises a worm extending parallel to said shaft, a worm follower threadedly engaging said worm and fixedly attached to said shaft, and means for rotating said worm to axially advance said worm follower and said shaft.

11. The yarn traverse mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for rotating said worm is operatively controlled by the oscillation of said first wheel. 

1. In a yarn winding apparatus having means for rotating a yarn bobbin, and a yarn guide for guiding the yarn from a yarn source onto the bobbin, the combination therewith of traversing means connected to said yarn guide for reciprocating the yarn guide longitudinally of the rotating bobbin in gradually diminishing increments to produce a yarn package having uniformly tapered ends, said traversing means including means for gradually reducing the length of successive reciprocations of the yarn guide in such a manner that the reciprocations are shortened by the same amount at each end thereof whereby opposite ends of the yarn package being formed are uniformly tapered, said reducing means comprising first and second wheels mounted for rotative oscillations about first and second intersecting axes with said first wheel having a transverse face and said second wheel having iTs periphery frictionally engaging said transverse face for having rotative oscillations imparted to said second wheel by said first wheel, means for oscillating said first wheel, means for changing the distance from the rotative axis of said first wheel at which said second wheel engages said transverse face for gradually reducing the extent of rotative oscillations imparted to said second wheel by said first wheel, and means for translating the oscillations of said second wheel into reciprocations of said yarn guide.
 2. In a yarn winding apparatus having means for rotating a yarn bobbin, and a yarn guide for guiding the yarn from a yarn source onto the bobbin, the combination therewith of a mechanism for reciprocating the yarn guide longitudinally back and forth along the side of the rotating yarn bobbin in gradually diminishing increments which are shortened by the same amount at each end thereof to produce a yarn package having uniformly tapered ends, said mechanism comprising, a first wheel defining a first axis and having a front transverse surface, means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel about said first axis in a predetermined regular sequence, a second wheel mounted for rotation about a second axis lying generally parallel to said transverse surface and intersecting said first axis, said second wheel including a peripheral edge frictionally engaging said transverse surface such that the oscillations of said first wheel cause rotational oscillations in said second wheel about said second axis, means operatively controlled by the oscillations of said first wheel for sequentially translating said second wheel along said second axis toward said first axis to diminish the rotational extent of the oscillations of the second wheel, a longitudinally reciprocable linkage connected to the yarn guide, and means connected between said second wheel and linkage for reciprocating said linkage and yarn guide in increments determined by the rotational extent of the oscillations of said second wheel.
 3. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said front transverse surface is substantially planar and intersects said first axis at substantially right angles.
 4. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising independently operable means for translating said second wheel along said second axis away from said first axis to thereby reset the mechanism at the termination of a winding operation.
 5. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel includes a linearly reciprocable rack having a plurality of gear-teeth, drive means for reciprocating said rack in timed relation with the operation of the winding apparatus, and a plurality of gear-teeth about the periphery of said first wheel and operatively engaging the gear-teeth of said rack such that the reciprocation of the rack oscillates the first wheel about the first axis.
 6. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for reciprocating said linkage includes a shaft attached to said second wheel and extending coaxially with said second axis, a third wheel having a plurality of gear-teeth about the periphery thereof and connected to said shaft for rotation therewith, and a rack attached to said linkage and having gear-teeth mating with the teeth of said third wheel such that rotation of said second wheel causes the rotation of the third wheel and linear movement of said linkage.
 7. The yarn winding apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for translating said second wheel along said second axis toward said first axis includes a switch adapted to be actuated upon each reciprocation of said linearly reciprocable rack, a step motor operatively connected to said switch, an externally threaded worm rotatably driven by said step motor and mounted in spaced parallel relation with said shaft, and a worm follower threadedly engaging said worm and fIxedly attached to said shaft such that said shaft is axially advanced upon rotation of said worm by said step motor.
 8. A yarn guide transverse mechanism for building a relatively large yarn package having uniformly tapered ends and comprising a yarn guide for guiding yarn from a yarn source onto a bobbin, a first wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis and including a front transverse surface lying substantially perpendicular to said first axis, means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel about said first axis in a predetermined regular sequence, a second rotatable wheel defining a second axis lying generally parallel to said transverse surface and intersecting said first axis, said second wheel having a peripheral edge disposed in frictional engagement with said transverse surface such that the rotational oscillation of said first wheel causes a corresponding rotational oscillation of said second wheel about said second axis, means for translating said second wheel along said second axis to change the radial positioning of said second wheel on said transverse surface and thereby change the angular extent of the rotational oscillation of said second wheel, means for converting the rotational oscillation of said second wheel into a linear reciprocation and being connected to said yarn guide to traverse the yarn guide.
 9. The yarn guide traverse mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said means for rotationally oscillating said first wheel comprises a cam adapted to be rotated at a regular speed, a follower operatively connected to said cam and adapted to be reciprocated upon rotation of said cam, a rack connected to said follower and having a plurality of gear-teeth, and a plurality of gear-teeth about the periphery of said first wheel and operatively engaging the rack gear-teeth such that reciprocation of said follower and rack oscillates said first wheel.
 10. The yarn guide traverse mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said second wheel is mounted on a shaft extending along said second axis, and said means for translating said second wheel along said second axis comprises a worm extending parallel to said shaft, a worm follower threadedly engaging said worm and fixedly attached to said shaft, and means for rotating said worm to axially advance said worm follower and said shaft.
 11. The yarn traverse mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for rotating said worm is operatively controlled by the oscillation of said first wheel. 